It is obvious that the construction of old-style columns in your house is quite a costly business. However, there is a cheap and relatively quick way to decorate your home with similar decorative elements, namely foam columns. Perhaps they will not carry any functional load, but the aesthetic effect of this will not be less. If at the same time you make foam columns with your own hands, you can save extra money.
Preparation for work
Styrofoam is extremely easy to process and at the same time is a fairly durable and cheap raw material from which you can make almost any decoration, both indoors and out. It is an ideal base for any decorative elements, since the foam itself is extremely light and yet able to keep its shape for many years.
So there is enoughways to make do-it-yourself foam columns. Photos of these architectural elements can be seen in the presented material. It is obvious that performing such work is not a trivial task. But with some effort, a foam column can be made with your own hands. We will consider a master class on its construction below.
Here is a list of tools and materials you will need in the process:
- roulette;
- pencil;
- plaster mesh and corner;
- construction knife;
- spatula;
- emery (fine-grained);
- brush;
- facade putty;
- soft cloth;
- tile mounting adhesive;
- paint;
- Styrofoam (Styrofoam grit depends on what size your columns will be).
Marking and preparing the foam base
Often, foam columns fit well into the interior of both a private house and a separate apartment. They not only decorate the room, but also visually increase its space.
When making columns directly on the walls, you must first mark. Mark the appropriate places with a pencil, using a tape measure. Use a level and a plumb line to avoid distortion during installation.
Next, you can start processing the foam. Please note that its width should be no less than the width of the future column. Measure a sheet of material, draw a line and cut exactly half of its width. Importantobserve the cut along the line so that you get two absolutely identical halves. Do not forget to adjust the workpieces in height.
Installation and decoration of columns
Mix the mounting adhesive to a viscous consistency, apply it with a spatula to the inside of the column and immediately press it against the wall in the appropriate place. It will be better if a partner helps to press the column so that it sticks evenly to the wall surface. Do this with all blanks.
If the ceiling height is large enough, then it is better to make one column from several parts. To make the joints of the parts of the foam column invisible, join them carefully, and coat the edges of the joints with glue.
So, the base is ready, you can start decorating. Run decorative props at the top and bottom of the columns. They do not play any functional role, but it seems that the column is holding the ceiling. Cut out pieces of styrofoam to the appropriate shape and glue them at the top and bottom. Mount the supports in a circle perpendicular to the surface of the column itself.
Leveling and puttying
Now we need to make the appearance of the column attractive. All corners where defects stand out especially must be repaired. Damaged corners must be sealed with pieces of the appropriate shape. Use a plaster corner for this. Make sure that there is no residue on the frontdried glue, as this will make it difficult to further decorate the foam column.
Putty is applied in two layers. The first layer is the base, and the second is the final one. Lay a fine mesh over the foam surface and apply a base coat of putty. It is not necessary to completely cover the grid. Finish in this way the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe column along with the supports. As soon as the first layer dries, apply the second one, hiding the mesh and any irregularities underneath. As a result, you should get a smooth white surface.
Wait until the surface is completely dry and lightly rub it with fine emery, eliminating the smallest irregularities. After that, remove dust from the surface with a dry cloth.
Painting
When choosing the color that the columns will be painted in, keep in mind that they should stand out against the background of the walls. If they are made in dark colors, then it is better to paint the columns in a light color. If the walls are light, then vice versa. When painting, use the tool in one direction only.
So, the columns are done. If desired, you can additionally apply powder of a silvery or golden hue to their surface. This will give the finished product some sophistication.
